Customer Reviews

Garden State (Widescreen)

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

It's not just the outstanding soundtrack, but it's the way that the songs insinuate themselves so harmoniously into the rise and fall of the story. This is a quirky story, peopled with folks you would love to meet and spend time with. It's a shame about the R rating, which will limit the exposure of this movie. In fact, there's only a little bit of (quite tasteful) sex in the story, and a scene of people doing drugs. It's a far cry from Pulp Fiction or Trainspotting. I think that the rating is undeserved, and I hope that no one will be put off by the rating when it comes to choosing a really cool date movie.

I think Zach Braff did such an awesome job writing and directing this movie on basically a shoe string budget.

I was hoping this wouldn't be some sappy love story and it totally wasn't. It's kind of half a coming of age film and half a romance, but it's not sappy by any means. The jokes are actually really funny. The conversations remind me so much of my friends. The soundtrack is the best I have ever seen ever! You will not find a better balanced soundtrack with better music. Well if you do please let me know.

This movie has a huge following in my highschool, and i think it's because you can especially identify with it, being a teenager. After all, even if Large is twenty something, it's about him growing up. It's one of those rare movies that knows how to show all the random feelings and images that represent confusion, solidarity, numbness, and also compassion.
I guess it's because, at fifteen and sixteen, and older as well, we're all looking for our own version of Sam, and love, and we're waiting for our lives to start.
I've heard some older people say that they found it kind of weird, but i don't at all. Do you think life isn't weird? This movie just shows that, and it's in it's own category because of it.

i remember when i first watched this, i expected one of those normal romantic comedy that you see come out nowadays that are stupid fluff with jokes that arent funny or people falling into large piles of boxes or falling for no good reason at all. but what this turned out to be was a story of a guy coming home and getting together with old friends and meeting natelie's character.

it ended up being a really funny movie that was just a story about normal people doing...well, some strange things, but still about people who you can see yourself with everyday, because thats who you are with every day, normal people. it didnt have that big of a movie plot (like someone trying to find a magic idle or a killer on the loose) its just them doing things, with more subplots than big plots. the whole movie doesnt revolve around the guy coming home, meeting natalie, and trying to hook up with her. throughout the movie, it feels like their more friends then girlfriend/boyfriend.

to sum this all up, i highly recomend this movie. its very funny, entertaining, and moving--in a strange kind of way.

This movie is magnificent and all should see it. Truly a beautiful piece of film making. Personally I think this movie proves that we need some sort of eugenics program for film, so future generations could enjoy this kind of art. I say we should mate Zach Braff and Sophia Coppola, and for all concerned I am not insane.

The first time I saw this movie, I couldn't tear my eyes away. It was incredible. I mean -- wow. Natalie Portman is truly the star as Sam, the highspirited beauty who breaks Andrew (writer/director/actor/genius extraordinare Zach Braff) out of his old shell and brings him to life. Zach and Natalie are adorable and the feature commentary is highly interesting as well. The two have amazing chemistry, and it is Natalie's acting and Zach's vision that carries this movie. The DVD's jam-packed with extras that don't overwhelm the film but rather make you want to hug both of them. Excellent film. Life-changing, like the Life of Pi (book) or "Imagine" by John Lennon. Truly impressive.

Garden State is one of a kind. This movie is not adventurous or action packed but is meant for those who seek a movie with meaning as well as humor. Zach Braff is extremely talented; acting in the movie, directing and writing the movie. Definately worth your money!!!

Garden State is truly a movie that borders on genius. It is such a serious, dark concept, of this young man, detached from his past and numb from anti-depressents, in this world where he can't even feel anymore, yet, it is presented with a sweet and lighthearted nature that is so absolutely needed in a picture like this. Natalie Portman SHINES as Sam, a highly spirited, optomistic, good-hearted young woman who brings this missing presence into the life of a shattered person. Everything in this movie works, from very strange and wonderful moments like a hamster funeral or a figure skating crocodile, to very romantic and emotional moments that anyone can relate to. When in the movie, Braff's character screams in the rain, it is almost representative of him letting go of everything, in this swirling revelation in a near-religious experience, and it is one of the most wonderful moments in any film of 2004. I hadn't seen Garden State prior to purchasing it. I took a chance, and it was a wonderful decision. It is a movie that you will want in your personal collection forever. It is truly a gem.

Zach Braff has hit his stride in this movie, proving not only his diversity as an actor, but his brilliance as both a writer and a director. This movie has three dimensional characters who you can tell were painstakingly crafted, a simple but extremely emotional plot and a story that speaks volumes in our generation's quest to feel something real. ...And the soundtrack is equally as good! Way to go Zach!

Every so often there are films that come along and are able to elicit very strong emotional reactions from viewers based on specific scenes or characters that can be related to. This movie came out of nowhere and gobsmacked audiences with it's raw tenderness and sincerity. Zach Braff (lead actor, writer and director) creates a portrait of a young man coasting through life in a perpetual state of medicated-numbness until the accidental death of his mother forces him to return to the home, family and friends he abandoned seven years prior. While hom, he has a chance meeting with a girl who embodies an energy and spirit that is something that he hadn't realized had been missing from his life, and everything in his life is turned upside down. For the first time he begins unleashing his emotions and actually lives his life instead of letting it slip through his fingers day-by-day. In order to live in the present he has to revisit the past he has been avoiding for so long. Peter Sarsgaard, Ian Holm and Natalie Portman offer excellent supporting performances as characters that go beyond the typical cookie-cutter melodrama casts that seem so common in recent movies. Despite being genuinely touching, the movie has great elements of humor and clever wit as well. Much like The Breakfast Club and Reality Bites before it, Garden State is a great representative film for it's generation and will doubtlessly become a classic. It is one of those rare movies that you just can't quite get out of your head after you see it for the first time, whether you relate to it personally or not.